Folding table



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

, H. M. WEAVER.

Folding Table. i No. 236,741. 1 Patented Jan. 18, 188i.

WITNESSES (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. M., WEAVER."

Folding Table; N0. 236,74|. Patented Jan. 18, I881,

WIZNESSES' INVEN'I'OR N PETERS. PHOTO-UTHQGRAFMER. WASHINGTON.

STATES ATENT Fm.

HENRY M. WEAVER, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 236,741, dated January 18, 1881.

Application filed April 27, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY M. WEAVER, of Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding-Leg Tables and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates'to an improvement in folding-leg tables, the object being to provide a table of such construction that the legs may be folded fiat against the under side of the table, and when extended secured against displacement by means of a novel form of brace, the prime object of the invention being to insure simplicity, economy, and durability in the construction of this type of tables.

With these ends in view, my invention consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will hereinafter be described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the under side of the table, the legs folded against the table-top. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the legs extended andsecuredinplace. Fig.3isan endview. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 5 is a view, in side elevation, of the inside of the table-legs at one end of the table. Fig. 6 is a modification.

A represents the table-top, to the under side of which, and at opposite ends thereof, are secured the transverse cleats B B. Table-legs O are connected in pairs by leg-rails D D, the table-legs being hinged to the under side of the top A by means of hinges a, the latter being located at such distance from the cleats B that when the legs are turned down into a vertical position the upper ends, I), of the legs will fit snugly against the inner surfaces of cleats B. Braces E are cut out of the leg-rails D D, or may be made independently thereof and inserted in an opening formed in the legrail. However, the preferable plan is to saw them out of the leg-rail, as by so doing the material employed for the leg-rail furnishes the material for the brace, thus resulting in a material saving in expense. Braces E are each formed with a notch, F, at one end, and

(No model.)

are pivoted within the opening F in the legrail by means of pivot G, located near the larger end of the brace. When the legs are folded against the under side of the table the braces fit within the opening in the leg-rail, and are flush with the opposite sides thereof. When it is desired to adjust the legs to support the table-top they are turned on their hinges from a horizontal to avertical position and the braces swung around beneath the table-top, causing the notched end I to engage with the lower edge of the cleats B, and the long arm H of the brace to engage with the block I, having an inclined face, I, and any suitable stop, J. This arrangement and construction of brace and leg-rail is not only simple and economical in manufacture, but, in connection with the block I, constitutes a strong and durable fastening device.

By forcing the long arm of the brace in engagement with the inclined surface of theblock or abutment I it tends to crowd the leg-rail against the inner side of the cleat, and thus cause the latter to form a firm bearing against the outer side of the leg-rail.

The leg-rail and legs are also braced against any outward lateral displacement or movement by the short end of the brace which rests upon the lower edge of the cleat, while displacement in the opposite direction is prevented by the long arm of the brace resting on the block I. The brace is readily manipulated from the outside of the leg-rail, and is held against movement when the table is supported on its legs by its frictional engagement with the block I.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modification wherein the short end of the brace K engages with the inner side of the cleat, and the long arm of the brace is held against displacement by means of a spring-catch, L, or other equivalent device.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. In a folding table, the combination, with a hinged leg-frame and a brace pivoted in an opening in the leg-rail below its top, the sides of the brace being practically flush with the opposite sides of the leg-rail, of a block secured to the under side of the table-top and inside the leg-frame, said block being formed with an inclined lower surface, with which engages the upper side of the long arm of the brace when the legs are secured in their upright position, substantially as set forth.

2. In a folding table, the combination, with a eleat attached to the end of the table, and hinged legs secured together by a rail, of a brace pivoted in an opening in the leg-rail below its top, and a block secured to the under side of the table-top, said brace having a notch formed in its short arm, which engages with the inner side and lower edge of the cleat, while the upper edge of the long arm of the brace engages with the inclined lower surface of said block, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of April, 1880.

HENRY M. WEAVER. 

